About Cordylanthus rigidus (Benth.) Jeps.
Cordylanthus rigidus is a species of flowering plant in the Orobanchaceae family, commonly known as stiffbranch bird's beak. It is native to California and northern Baja California, where it grows in a wide range of habitat types, from coastal flats to high inland mountains. This species is a hairy annual herb that reaches a maximum height between 30 centimeters and 1.5 meters. There are at least four recognized subspecies, and some natural varieties may exist that are not distinct enough to be classified as separate subspecies. This plant has a great deal of variation in its overall appearance. The color of its stem and foliage can range from greenish to shades of yellow and red. Like other members of its family, this species is parasitic on other plants, so it does not depend entirely on green chlorophyll to produce its own nutrients. Its leaves are linear in shape, 1 to 4 centimeters long, and may have rolled edges. A loose inflorescence produces solitary flowers borne on long stalks. Each flower is covered in hairs, shaped like a conical bird's beak, and has pointed, leaflike outer and inner bracts. Tucked within these bracts is a pouched white flower. The entire flower unit measures up to 2 centimeters long. The fruit produced by this plant is a capsule that holds dark brown seeds 1 to 2 millimeters in length. One subspecies, Cordylanthus rigidus littoralis, commonly called seaside bird's beak, is listed as endangered by the state of California.
